Jimmy L. Morales was appointed as city manager for the City of Miami Beach effective April 1, 2013.

Morales has nearly 20 years of experience in government serving as a local attorney, administrator and public servant. His significant roles in government administration and elected office have earned him a reputation as an advocate for citizens and ethics. Now, the accomplished attorney is committed to bringing his passion for executive leadership and serving others to his hometown as the city manager for Miami Beach.

Born and raised in Miami Beach, Morales graduated as salutatorian from Miami Beach Senior High School. In 1984, he graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University and was inducted as a member of Phi Beta Kappa. He went on to graduate magna cum laude from Harvard Law School in 1987.

After finishing law school, Morales served as a judicial law clerk, and later landed associate and shareholder positions in several international law firms specializing in corporate and international law. For the past 13 years, Morales has been a shareholder and a member of the board of directors at the Miami law firm of Stearns Weaver Miller Weissler Alhadeff & Sitterson, P.A. His practice specialized in municipal law matters. During that time, Morales served as the city attorney for the City of Marathon, and then city attorney for the City of Doral.

Although an accomplished attorney, Morales is most recognized for his career in public service. Morales served on the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners for eight years. He was elected in October 1996 and re-elected to a second term in 2000, during which he represented District 7, including South Miami, Key Biscayne, portions of Miami, Coral Gables and Pinecrest municipalities. In 2004, Morales ran for Mayor of Miami-Dade County, but was defeated in the runoff by Carlos Alvarez.